Major Grant to CSM Gives Freshmen a Helping Hand
The College of Southern Maryland has been awarded $450,000 through the U.S. Department of Education’s highly competitive Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) to enhance success and goal completion of its students, especially freshmen.
photo courtesy of Sterling College
The project length is five years, and the college is expected to receive additional funds for the following four fiscal years.
“The grant will provide CSM with the resources we need to help every student complete their goals and realize success,” said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried. The award will be targeted toward helping first-year students become acclimated to the college experience, with such services as tutoring and peer mentoring. A robust freshman seminar will also be developed. Additionally, funding will help expand the academic and student services support for online students.
“Research has again and again shown that this is a critical time in the lives of students,” Mr. Gottfried said. “Students entering college, especially those with weak preparation or without the benefit of significant family experience with college, face a series of high-risk moments at which they are most likely to drop out or give up.”
Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Joan Middleton, who has led a number of retention and goal completion activities at the college, will be serving as the college’s project director for the grant.
For information about CSM, visit www.csmd.edu. For information about SIP, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduestitle3a/index.html.
